Productivity and Profitability of Garden Eggs Farming among Farmers in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Garden eggs are significant source of income for many smallholder farmers and contribute substantially to food security. Improving the productivity level will increase the profitability as well as its sustainability as a high value crop. This study investigates the productivity and profitability of garden eggs (Solanum melongena) farming in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria.  A multistage sampling procedure were used to select 120 garden eggs farmers used for the study. Data were collected through the aid of well-structured questionnaire. Methods of data analysis employed include descriptive statistics, total factor productivity (TFP) index, net return analysis, and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The findings showed that most (66.7%) of the garden egg farmers were male, with an average age of 42.8 years. The majority (94.2) were married and had 6-12 years of farming experience, with a mean household size of 4.7 and average monthly income of ₦180,833. Additionally, most farmers were members of cooperatives and had regular access to extension services. Further findings showed an average TFP of 1.919, indicating that farmers generate ₦1.92 in output for every ₦1 invested in inputs. The net profit per hectare is ₦144,739, demonstrating the economic viability of garden egg farming in the area. OLS regression results identified cost of seed, cost of herbicides, education, farming experience at 1% respectively, monthly income (10%), and access to extension contact (5%) as significant determinants of profitability of garden eggs production. The study recommends improving farmers' access to cheap herbicides and strengthening extension services to improve productivity and profitability of the farming communities.